>> Today is Warning: date(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected the timezone 'UTC' for now, but please set date.timezone to select your timezone. in /home/cairchic/public_html/header.php on line 331
Sunday, February 18, 2018

* As an airline passenger, you are entitled to courteous, respectful and
non-stigmatizing treatment by airline and security personnel.

* You have the right to complain about treatment that you believe is
discriminatory.

If you believe you have been treated in a discriminatory manner, immediately:

1) Ask to speak to a supervisor.

2) Ask if you have been singled out because of your looks, dress, race,
ethnicity, faith, or national origin.

3) Ask for the names and ID numbers of all persons involved in the incident.

4) Ask witnesses to give you their names and contact information.

5) Write down a statement of facts immediately after the incident. Be sure

to include the flight number, the flight date, and the name of the airline.

6) Contact CAIR to file a report. If you are leaving the country, leave a

detailed message, with the information above, at 202-488-8787. You may also

file on-line at www.cair-net.org.

WHEN FACED WITH DISCRIMINATION ON THE JOB:

1) Remain calm.

2) Inform the offending party that you believe his/her actions are
discriminatory.

3) Report the discriminatory action in writing to company management.

4) Begin documenting the discrimination by saving memos, keeping a detailed
journal, noting the presence of witnesses, and making written complaints
(keep copies). Create a "paper trail."

5) Contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and local
county or state civil rights agencies to educate yourself about legal options.

6) Contact an attorney to discuss your case.

7) DO NOT sign any documents or resign without an attorney's advice.

8) Ask to be transferred to another department or job site.

9) Ask for mediation.

10) Contact CAIR to file a report.

11) Consider looking for a new job.

IF THE FBI CONTACTS YOU:

American Muslims support strong law enforcement. We also treasure civil
rights. Your right to be politically active and to hold different
beliefs/views is protected by the Constitution. If you are visited by the
FBI, remember:

1) You do not have to talk to the FBI. You have no obligation to talk to
the FBI, even if you are not a citizen. Never meet with them or answer any
questions without an attorney present. Refusing to answer questions cannot
be held against you. It does not imply that you have something to hide.

2) You do not have to permit them to enter your home or office. FBI agents
must possess a search warrant in order to enter your house. If they say
they have a warrant, demand to see it before allowing them to enter. Even
if they have a warrant, you are under no obligation to answer questions.

3) Never lie or provide false information to the FBI. It is better to
refuse to answer any questions. Lying to an FBI agent is a crime. Contact
CAIR for advice.

YOUR RIGHTS AS AN EMPLOYEE:

Federal law makes it illegal for an employer to discriminate against an
employee on the basis of religion, race, or national origin. Title VII of
the 1964 Civil Rights Act guarantees your right to:

1) Reasonable religious accommodation. The failure of an employer to
reasonably accommodate your religious practices constitutes discrimination.
"Religious practices" includes wearing a beard, hijab, prayer on the job,
and going to Jumah prayer.

3) A non-hostile work environment. Your employer must ensure that you are
not subjected to anti-Muslim insults, harassment or unwelcome, excessive
proselytizing.

4) Complain about discrimination without fear of retaliation. Federal law
guarantees your right to report an act of alleged discrimination. It is
illegal for your employer to retaliate against you for your complaint.

4) Trim shrubs and vines to reduce areas of concealment for criminals.

5) Join a neighborhood watch program.

6) Meet with neighbors and local law enforcement officials to discuss security.

7) Educate mosque workers or volunteers about dealing with phone threats
and bomb searches. Have written instructions for when threats occur.
(Available from CAIR.)

8) Call authorities about any suspicious package or letter received by
mail. DO NOT touch the object.

9) Document descriptions of suspicious people or vehicles noticed near the
mosque.

10) Make duplicates of all important papers, computer disks and records in
the mosque, and store them elsewhere.

11) Remove potential fire hazards, such as trash and debris, from mosque
grounds.

REACTING TO ANTI-MUSLIM HATE CRIMES:

If you believe you have been the victim of a hate crime, you should:

1) Report the crime to your local police station immediately. Ask that the
incident be treated as a hate crime. Follow up with investigators. Inform
CAIR even if you believe it is a "small" incident.

2) Document the incident. Write down exactly what was said and/or done by
the offender. Save evidence. Take photographs.

3) Act quickly. Each incident must be dealt with when it happens, not when
convenient.

4) Decide on the appropriate action to be taken. Consider issuing a
statement from community leaders, holding a news conference, organizing a
protest, meeting with officials, or starting a letter writing campaign.

5) Mobilize community support. Contact CAIR and a local mosque or organization.

6) Stay on top of the situation.

7) Announce results. When the incident is resolved, make an announcement to
the same people and organizations originally contacted.

YOUR RIGHTS AS A STUDENT:

* You have the right to inform others about your religion. You have the
right to pass out literature or speak to others about Islam, as long as it
is not done in a disruptive manner.

* You have the right to wear religious clothing. You also have the right to
wear clothing with a religious message, as long as other clothes with
messages are allowed.

* You have the right to organize student-led prayer on campus, as long as
the service is not disruptive.

* You may have the right to attend Friday prayer. The Supreme Court has
upheld the right of states to allow students "release time" to attend
religious classes or services.

* You have the right to be excused from school for religious holidays. You
should inform the school that you will be absent.

* You have the right to be excused from class discussions or activities
that you find religiously objectionable. Check with CAIR.

* You have the right to form an extracurricular Muslim student group.

WRITING A LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Most letters to the editor do not get published. To increase your chances
of publication, be sure to follow the following guidelines:

* Keep your letter to no more than 150-250 words.

* React quickly to news of the day, negative coverage or views you support.
If possible, have the letter in the hands of an editor on the same day.

* Be authoritative. Speak on behalf of an organization, even if you have to
create that organization to work on that issue.

* Pick one main thought and resist the temptation to include other points.

* Address the letter to "The Letters Editor."

* Be passionate or even controversial, but avoid rhetoric and defamation.